Dick Montgomery
Reviews By Author
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Dio Drybrush Paint Light Olive Green, Light Brick, Dark SandPublished:
AMMO has an extensive line of paints and a selection of “How To” publications that are familiar to modelers. IPMS/USA recently received for review three of AMMO’s “DIO Drybrush Paint” products. The review samples include A.MIG-0608 Light Olive Green, A. MIG-0626 Light Brick, and A.MIG-0620 Dark Sand. These three items are a part of AMMO’s line of Dio Drybrush Paints. There are 27 paints in this series. Each sell for about $3.50. There does not seem to be a single “set” that includes all 27 colors, but it is not difficult to submit a purchase order on the AMMO website to purchase each of the 27 colors as a “group” purchase. Note that the “Direct Link to Product” associated with this review opens a page which shows all 27 of the colors grouped together. Hopefully, that will make… more |
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MK XVII Depth ChargePublished:
Brengun is known as a prolific manufacturer of accessories and aftermarket items. Over the years I have purchased or reviewed some 15 to 20 after-market items like this product being reviewed and I have yet to find any deficiencies in any of those products. The Mk. XVII Depth Charge set lives up to the standards that I have come to expect from Brengun. This version of the Mk XVII Depth Charge is designed to be delivered by an aircraft and can be used to enhance any number of aircraft that the modeler currently has on their workbench, both serving in the military branches for the United States and its allies. As prepared by Brengun, there are components for two Mk. XVII’s included in this package. Also included are the “bomb” racks which connect the depth charge to the aircraft… more |
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French WWI PilotPublished:
In keeping with other figures that are offered by AeroBonus, the figure consists of a head, two arms, and a body. This “kit” consists of four parts, all attached to a resin runner. Looking at the accompanying images there are two rectangular “partitions” also attached on either end of the runner. These are not parts to be added to the figure. They serve as “safety” barriers to prevent damage to the four body parts. Removal of these two barriers with a razor saw will make it much easier to cut the kit parts away from the runner. The arms and head are quite small, and it is wise to exercise some caution when removing them from the runner “lest ye old Carpet Monster” attempts to abscond with them. Do not ask me how I know. Figure painters have taught me to drill a hole in the heel… more |
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British Vickers Machine GunPublished:
ICM has released a kit of a Vickers Machine Gun in 35th scale. The kit includes 21 parts, and that includes two versions of the body of the machine gun. One version has the water jacket molded onto the barrel cylinder, and the other version does not have the water jacket in place. An ammo can, consisting of three parts, is included. The lid on the ammo can is molded in the open position so that the ammo belt attached to the machine gun can then have its other end attached to the ammo inside the ammo can, giving the finished project the appearance of being loaded and ready for use. If one is using the barrel with the water jacket, there is a container representing the water can that consists of 5 parts. There is no “hose” part to connect the water container to the water… more |
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German/Austro-Hungarian Mechanic w/ Tail Skid CartPublished:
Aires Aero-Bonus has done an excellent job with this kit. The figure consists of a head, two arms, and a body. The figure is easy to remove from the resin runner. A small saw will make that task fair easy. Some small amount of sanding will be necessary in order to attach the arms to the body. Figure painters have taught me to drill a hole in the heel of a boot and to insert a wire in order to hold the figure steady while painting. In this case, I was unable to place the hole in a boot heel. Instead I drilled the hole downward through the point at which the head will be attached to the body. With some careful sanding, the lower arms fit nicely onto the upper arm, which is molded onto the body. It is a simple chore to remove the small seams, if any appear at all, and with the arms in… more |
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Camel Pilot Supreme - Captain D.V. Armstrong DFCPublished:
The story put forward by author Annette Carson, took place over 100 year ago. It is the story of a young man named D’Urban.V. Armstrong. DVA, as he is called throughout the book, was one of many airmen who served during the Great War. Unlike many of the pilots who became famous for their exploits during World War I, DVA survived the conflict, (spoiler alert!!!) only to meet his end two days after the Cease-Fire while flying an aircraft (Sopwith Camel) which he had gained fame having mastered. Ms. Carson writes about the reputation of the Camel being less than positive, and how DVA learned how to control the aircraft, and then instructed others how to control the Camel, significantly reducing accidents during training, (350 men died in Camel-related air accidents during training) and… more |
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A-26C-15Published:
In 2019 ICM introduced their newly tooled A-26/B-26 collection. The B-26B-50 kit and the A-26B-15 kit have now been joined by the A-26C-15 released in 2020. The A26B-15 Invader, kit # 48282, and the B-26B-50 Invader, kit # 48281, are available, but my “A-26/B-26” experience is limited only to the A-26C-15, and at every turn, this kit was extremely impressive. PackagingThe box is a very sturdy cardboard box. The box “lid” flips up when a tab is freed from a holding slot. The parts within are safe and secure in a large baggie. The clear parts are contained in a separate baggie which prevents any contact with other parts runners, keeping the “glass” in pristine condition, and there is a lot of glass because the A-26C-15 is the “glass-nose” variant. The box art is an… more |
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Cross & Cockade 2021 CalendarPublished:
Cross & Cockade has released their 2021 calendar, and in keeping with past calendars, combines excellent W.W.I aviation art with the usual calendar functions. As in past years, you are advised to order your copy now, and not wait. There may be a limited supply of these calendars and you do not want to miss out because you waited until the supply ran out. According to Roger Tisdale of Cross & Cockade the profits from the sale of these annual Cross and Cockade International Calendars go to assist in the upkeep of the British Air Services Memorial at the St-Omer airfield in northern France”. This is a very worthy cause and deserving of your support. One can check out the St-Omer Memorial. Beside the fact… more |
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Flex-I-File Flex SetPublished:
It is difficult to find many modelers that have never used a Flex-I-File product. Most modelers have several of the Flex-I-File aluminum sanding frames on their workbench, and several packets of the abrasive refill tapes ready for use. Then there are the Flex Pads which are available in varied grits. Just in case the reader is one of those “unfortunates”, this review will result in some of your model money being spent. Before we dive into the review, to be clear, the sanding frame is also sometimes referred to as “the handle” to which the abrasive tape is attached. And the abrasive tape is sometimes labeled “the sanding strip”. A Flex Pad is also known as a sanding stick. The Flex Set being reviewed includes:
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MacArthur’s Papua New Guinea Offensive 1942-1943Published:
Jon Diamond is an accomplished author with a number of published books to his credit. His previous works include “Stilwell and the Chindits”, War In the South Pacific, Invasion of Sicily, Invasion of the Italian Mainland, Anzio and Victory at Cassino, and now MacArthur’s Papua New Guinea Offensive 1942-1943. These and other books by Mr. Diamond are published by and available through Pen and Sword. The Japanese strategy was to threaten northern Australia by capturing Port Moresby. In this publication Mr. Diamond lays out the strategy that MacArthur put forward to thwart this Japanese plan. The text that Mr. Diamond provides is comprehensive in its coverage of the theatre of operations, the impact of the geography in which the campaign took place, and a study of the commanders… more |